Marcos supporters hold vigil as Supreme Court set to issue ruling on burial at heroes’ cemetery

Hundreds of supporters led by the daughter of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos gathered on Monday at the Philippine Supreme Court ahead of its much-awaited decision regarding a hero's burial for Marcos.

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Hundreds of supporters led by the daughter of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos gathered on Monday at the Philippine Supreme Court ahead of its much-awaited decision regarding a hero's burial for Marcos.

The justices are expected to hand down on Tuesday, October 18, or in the succeeding days, its ruling on a petition to stop the burial of Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (Heroes' Cemetery).

President Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday vowed to uphold the Supreme Court's decision.

"We will follow what the Supreme Court says for after all, it is the Supreme Court who interprets the law and decide which of the public interest is served among the contending parties," President Duterte said in the press briefing Sunday before leaving for his state visit to Brunei.

Appeal for favorable decision

Ilocos Norte governor Imee Marcos told her supporters that President Duterte passed by the provincial capital of Laoag on Friday as he changed planes on his way back from a visit to the typhoon-ravaged province of Batanes.

She said Duterte reiterated to her his belief that Ferdinand Marcos deserved burial in the heroes' cemetery.

The Supreme Court stepped in following a petition filed last August by human rights groups and lawmakers opposing the burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

The petition was prompted by a move by Duterte who gave military officials the go-signal in early August to proceed with plans for the heroes' burial for Marcos.

Victims of human rights abuses during the Marcos regime vehemently opposed the move, saying this was a mockery of the Philippines' struggle for democracy.

Padre Faura street where the Supreme Court is located was closed to traffic due to Marcos' supporters vigil. Hundreds of them, dressed in white and black t-shirts, had marched more than 450 kilometers from Paoay in Iocos Norte to join the vigil.